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Rio, Diya for Dynamos?

Sport
DYNAMOS had not submitted their Caf Champions League squad to Zifa by yesterday evening ahead of the midnight deadlin

DYNAMOS had not submitted their Caf Champions League squad to Zifa by yesterday evening ahead of the midnight deadline, with reports suggesting that they were still in negotiations with some big-name players who they wanted to include on the list.

BY HENRY MHARA

The league champions initially announced a 19-member squad last week for the African Safari, but a source yesterday said they intended to add another seven new players to make it 26.

The source said the club’s top management were last evening engaged in marathon meetings with a number of players including the Highlanders trio of Munyaradzi Diya, Peter “Rio” Moyo and Milton Ncube.

Banned Devon Chafa, who returns to action in March next year just in time for the start of the Champions League, is said to be on the list and so is long-time target Kudakwashe Mahachi of Chicken Inn.

Charles Sibanda’s name was also mentioned, as well as that of Triangle forward Pascal Manhanga.

Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya admitted that his club were in negotiations with some big-name players, but refused to give away the names, referring further questions to team manager Richard Chihoro whose mobile number was unreachable.

“We are still negotiating with a number of good players, big-name players and we should be able to beat the deadline. People should brace for a big surprise when the final list is announced,” Diya said at around 5pm yesterday.

Club coach Kalisto Pasuwa could not be reached either as his phone went unanswered.

Efforts to get the club’s executive also hit a snag with both the club’s secretary-general Webster Chikengezha and chairman Keni Mubaiwa also not reachable.

The source said yesterday: “There are still in negotiations now. I’m not sure when they will finish the meeting. The technical team submitted their wish list with names such as Rio and Milton. Tichaona has been given the task to convince Munya (his brother) to sign for Dynamos, which should not be a tough one for him really. I understand that Munya, Rio and Ncube are already in Harare as we speak.”

Rio, Ncube and Munyaradzi’s contracts with Highlanders expire at the end of the year.

“Pascal has also shown interest, but it is unlikely that Triangle would want to do business,” the source added.

When contacted for a comment on his links with Dynamos, Diya said: “I’m still contracted to Highlanders until 31 December. That is all I can say at the moment.”